Definition

Communications Intelligence—gathering intelligence by intercepting and analyzing enemy radio, telephone, and data communications. High-tech eavesdropping with government authorization.

Example Usage

COMINT revealed that the terrorist cell was planning an attack in the capital.

Origin

Formal intelligence discipline designation from the Cold War era.

Fun Fact

COMINT operations have historically been among the most valuable sources of military intelligence available.

Source: Military intelligence disciplines

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Falsifying reports, maintenance logs, or inspections without actually performing the work—essentially military-grade lying with a nautical pedigree. The art of telling commanders what they want to hear.

🎖️ Military / Defense
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Anything that makes a military force more effective without adding more troops. It is the cheat code of warfare — doing more with less. Consultants later stole this term to justify charging $500 an hour for a spreadsheet.

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A single military mission flown by one aircraft. The fanciest possible way to say 'one plane went and did a thing.' Borrowed from the French because everything sounds more sophisticated in French, even bombing runs.

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Engaging targets from a distance safe enough that your forces aren't vulnerable to direct return fire. Also called 'standoff distance' or 'standoff range.'

🎖️ Military / Defense
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platoon

A military unit of 30-40 soldiers, small enough that everyone knows who didn't pull their weight but large enough to get things done. The organizational sweet spot between 'too few people' and 'too many cooks in the kitchen,' typically led by a lieutenant still figuring things out. In baseball, refers to alternating players based on matchups, which is somehow less dangerous.

🎖️ Military / Defense
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mike-mike

Military slang for millimeter, typically used when referring to caliber sizes of weapons or ammunition. Because saying 'fifty caliber' apparently requires too much oxygen during combat operations.

🎖️ Military / Defense

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